Meet Our Quit Coaches
Our Quit Coaches are health professionals qualified to help people become smokefree. They know the Smokefree methods that are backed by research and are trained to tailor specific programmes for everyone they help so the support is right for them.
Te Hā – Waitaha Quit Coaches are based across Canterbury and work in urban and rural locations.

Christine Solomon
Community and Public Health
Kia ora koutou. I started with Te Hā-Waitaha in October 2016 and I have 14 years’ experience. I am passionate about working alongside whānau to become auahi kore. Guiding them to set attainable goals and sharing in their successes. I especially love working with hapu mama and their partners on the Pregnancy Incentive Programme as they’re trying to make a difference to their whole whānau. Once you identify the barriers to becoming auahi kore you can start chipping away at them and be successful in becoming auahi kore.
I look forward to working with you and your whānau.
I look forward to working with you and your whānau.

Gina Straker
Waitaha Primary Health
Being Māori myself, I have seen many of my own whānau struggle with smoking related illnesses and with some even death. This has pushed me to fight for my whānau and others who still battle with their addiction to have a better smokefree life.
I believe everyone has the ability to change and within my role, I can build on their strengths and offer options so that they can make a fully informed decision.
Our children are our future and I hope that going forward a smokefree Aotearoa will benefit them with better health outcomes for future generations.
I cover rural South Canterbury and mid-Canterbury. People in these areas live in isolation and this way we get to take the support to them, which can remove barriers.
I believe everyone has the ability to change and within my role, I can build on their strengths and offer options so that they can make a fully informed decision.
Our children are our future and I hope that going forward a smokefree Aotearoa will benefit them with better health outcomes for future generations.
I cover rural South Canterbury and mid-Canterbury. People in these areas live in isolation and this way we get to take the support to them, which can remove barriers.

Joyce Heywood
Community and Public Health
Ko Pukekaroro te maunga
Ko Kaipara te awa
Ko Mahuhu ki te rangi te waka
Ko Ngāti Whātua , ko Ngaphui, ko Ngāti Porou te iwi
Ko Te Uri o Hau te hapu
Ko Ōtamatea te marae
Ko Heywood tōku whānau
Ko Joyce tōku ingoa
Nō reira, tēnā kotou, tēnā katou, tēnā kotou katoa
I am Māori kaimahi working part time in the Smokefree space engaging with Hapu Māma and Whānau.
The other part of my role is as the Engagement Coordinator for Te Hā Waitaha Stop Smoking Support Services.
I look forward to being able to support all in my whānau and community in living a smokefree life.
Ko Kaipara te awa
Ko Mahuhu ki te rangi te waka
Ko Ngāti Whātua , ko Ngaphui, ko Ngāti Porou te iwi
Ko Te Uri o Hau te hapu
Ko Ōtamatea te marae
Ko Heywood tōku whānau
Ko Joyce tōku ingoa
Nō reira, tēnā kotou, tēnā katou, tēnā kotou katoa
I am Māori kaimahi working part time in the Smokefree space engaging with Hapu Māma and Whānau.
The other part of my role is as the Engagement Coordinator for Te Hā Waitaha Stop Smoking Support Services.
I look forward to being able to support all in my whānau and community in living a smokefree life.

Niki Fox
He Waka Tapu
Ko Nuku Mania te Maunga
Ko Orokaia te Awa
Ko Ngai Tahu, Ngati mamoe me Waitaha te Iwi
Ko Ruahikihiki te hapu
Ko Ta O Moki te Marae
Ko Marsh toku whānau
Ko Niki toku ingoa
Kia ora. My name is Niki.
I am looking forward to helping support Tangata whaiora (clients) in becoming smokefree.
I come from a background where everyone smoked, and I have also been a smoker myself.
I understand the toughness of becoming smoke free and want to help change the lives of whānau.
I am currently studying L4 mental health and addictions and have been working alongside whaiora in the addictions space at He Waka Tapu.
I believe with the right support and whānau around you, you can make that change and be good at it!!!
I am excited to see the change in whaiora becoming smoke free with goals and structure to help secure that change
I am passionate about this Kaupapa and bring a lot of energy to supporting you all.
Ko Orokaia te Awa
Ko Ngai Tahu, Ngati mamoe me Waitaha te Iwi
Ko Ruahikihiki te hapu
Ko Ta O Moki te Marae
Ko Marsh toku whānau
Ko Niki toku ingoa
Kia ora. My name is Niki.
I am looking forward to helping support Tangata whaiora (clients) in becoming smokefree.
I come from a background where everyone smoked, and I have also been a smoker myself.
I understand the toughness of becoming smoke free and want to help change the lives of whānau.
I am currently studying L4 mental health and addictions and have been working alongside whaiora in the addictions space at He Waka Tapu.
I believe with the right support and whānau around you, you can make that change and be good at it!!!
I am excited to see the change in whaiora becoming smoke free with goals and structure to help secure that change
I am passionate about this Kaupapa and bring a lot of energy to supporting you all.